Stepladder attachment



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. c. HEIDEL/ STEPLADDER ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 50, 1938 '1 M 5 aw a W Dec. 12, 1939.

- Attorneys PATENT:

STEFLADDER'ATTACHMENT Walter G. Heidel, Oak Park, 111. I Application September 30, 1938, Serial No. 232,653

' 1 Claim. '(Cl. 304 10 The present invention relates to stepladder attachments of the general type of that constituting the subject matter of my U. S. Patent No. 1,735,003, upon which the present device consti-" tutes an improvement.

The primary object of the-present invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a step extension or attachment for stepladders embodying a novel construction, combination and.

arrangement of parts through the medium of which the device may be expeditiously adjusted as desired to meet substantially all conditions that may be encountered on different ladders.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a 'stepladder attachment of the character described .which will be comparatively simplein construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may a be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and'still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, showing said device mounted on a stepladder.

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a detail viewin perspective of one of the vertically adjustable legs.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of one of the brackets.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of one ofthe step engaging hooks.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates generally a portion of a conventional stepladder. The ladder I includes steps 2 mounted between side members 3, etc.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a flat tread member 4 of any suitable material, preferably wood, which is adapted to abut the front edge of one of the ladder steps 2 in the horizontal plane brackets 6." As' best seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the brackets 6 are of sufficient length to extend downwardly past the subjacent step of the ladder l in engagement with the front edge "thereof.

Mounted for vertical adjustment on the brackets 6 is a pair of metallic legs 8 which terminate,

receive securing bolts ll provided withwing nuts l2. The lower po'rtionsof the legs 8 are provided with spaced openings I3.in which bolts M in the brackets 6 are selectively engageable for posi tively securing said legs in adjusted position, said bolts I4 being provided with wing nuts l5.

Mounted for sliding and swinging adjustment on the tread member 4 and projecting therefrom for engagement over the adjacent step 2 of the ladder is a pair of substantially flat metallic hooks l6. The hooks I6 are'provided with longitudinal slots H which accommodate bolts H! for securing said hooks in adjusted position. The bolts I8 pass downwardly through the tread member 4 andrthe portions 5 of the brackets 6 and have threaded on their lower end portions wing nuts l9.

It is thought that the manner in which the device functions will be readily apparent from a vtical slots II] in their upper end portions which consideration of the foregoing. With the mem-v ber 4 in position flush with one of the steps of the ladder the supporting surface or areaof that step is greatly increased, thus supporting a much 7 larger portion of the feet in a manner to materially increase comfort and safety. The adjustability of the legs 8 on the brackets 6 permits any'desired adjustment within a given range to be convenientlyhad to adaptthe device to the,

holes, as at 20,in which the bolts 14 are selectively insertable.

It is believed that themany advantages of a stepladder attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A stepladder attachment of the class described comprising a horizontal tread member adapted to be mounted in abutting engagement with a step of a ladder in the horizontal plane thereof in a manner to constitute an extension thereto, brackets depending from said tread member and including horizontally projecting upper end portions secured beneath said tread member, said brackets being adapted for abutting engagement with the front edge of a subjacent step of the ladder, legs mounted for vertical adjustment on the brackets, said legs having slots therein and further having spaced holestherein, bolts on the brackets engageable in the slots, additional bolts on the brackets selectively engageable in the spaced holes for securing the legs in adjusted position, said legs including horizontally projecting feet on their lower ends engageable on the subjacent step of the ladder for supporting the tread member, and a plurality of pivotally and slidably adjustable hooks mounted on the said tread member and engageable over the first named step of the ladder for connecting said tread member thereto.

WALTER C. HEIDEL. 

